Pauline Marie Denson, 90, of Marlborough, passed away Tuesday March 31st at Middlesex Hospital. She was born Aug. 14, 1935 and raised on a farm in Atascosa County, Texas. Fiercely independent and always ready for something new, she left Texas for California with her daughter Julie and raised her on her own until marrying Karen’s father, Minos Covington, and moving to Connecticut. The family moved to Austin in the 70s where she spent the majority of her adult life. After Minos’ passing she met and married Bill Denson, who loved her dearly.
Pauline raised both of her daughters mostly on her own and was a source of quiet, constant strength and love. She instilled the importance of knowledge, art and education in her daughters. There was always at least one book, sometimes two nearby. She filled her home with art that she painted and the sounds of classical music. She was a supporter and season ticket holder of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Austin Opera. Pauline worked for the Texas Department of Licensing for most of her career. Never one to sit idly, she was busier in retirement than during her working years. She was a past deacon and member of the choir in the St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Austin, and served on the board of the Austin Gem and Mineral Club. Most recently she was a member of the Marlborough CT Congregational Church. Her daughters brought her to Connecticut in 2021, grateful for the opportunity to return some of the love and support she had provided in her final years.
She is survived by her daughters Julieanne Naseef of Marlborough, Karen Terry (Dave) of East Hampton, her two stepdaughters Dawn Denson of Austin and Misty Bell of Cedar Park and her family, her two brothers Aloys Dylla of San Antonio TX and Vincent Dylla of Marion TX, and her beloved grandchildren Samantha Terry and her fiancé Ivan of Woking, UK and Jonathan Terry of Boston.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Published by Austin American-Statesman from Apr. 2 to Apr. 6, 2026.
This obituary was published by Spencer Funeral Home – East Hampton.
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